Six Nations-based lacrosse league launching out of frustration with 'rigid' associations

Organizers with Six Nations have created the new major junior Tewaaraton Lacrosse League (TLL) after years of frustration with what they call rigid regulations set out by governing bodies for the sport in Canada.

League president Lewis Staats cited an inability to get things done and move the game forward under the current lacrosse organizations for starting the league.

"Those lacrosse institutions that we have here in Canada right now are all over 100 years old. They were formed over 100 years ago," Staats told CBC Hamilton.

"The reality of the situation is that, like a lot of 100-year-old organizations, when you reach that stage or that age of your organization, a lot of the rules, regulations and things that you have are very much rigid and are there to control things, so it's very hard to make real change happen. That is the genesis that made the Tewaaraton Lacrosse League come to fruition." 

The TLL's four founding members were part of the Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA) and the Canadian Lacrosse Association (CLA):

• Six Nations Arrows (Ohsweken).
• Tri City Havoc (Kitchener-Waterloo).
• Burlington Black Hawks.
• Oshawa Knights.

Staats said that for years, they had put forward numerous proposed changes that were always voted down. 

"Lacrosse is evolving and growing, and the sport is evolving and growing, and we were never able to make [change] happen in those institutions." 

Key changes to grow the sport

Staats said the TLL is making key changes for the betterment of lacrosse.

He said they will put in place elements they feel will allow them to continue to grow the sport and make it more in line with where lacrosse is in North America today.

"One of the things was a change initially in the age category for the league," said Staats. "In Ontario and the Canadian Lacrosse Association right now, junior lacrosse is mandated as players 21 and under. We actually extended the age eligibility of the Tewaaraton league to 22 and under.

"The other thing is that we also recognized that the professional indoor lacrosse league is growing. They seem to be on a plan and a mission to grow the sport of lacrosse in both Canada and the U.S., and they play a different style of rules, so we are going to implement National Lacrosse [League] rules. They have rules to make the ball move and speed the game up and make it more entertaining for the fans. Those are some of the key things that we are doing that will make it different." 

Staats lamented a lack of platforms for players to be celebrated for their personality and athleticism.

"Our fans only knew [Six Nations Arrows] players by the names and numbers on the back of their jerseys. They didn't really know the people," he said.

"So we are going to rely on digital media, steaming and all the social platforms that are out there right now to actually let the players introduce themselves to the world so to speak. We feel that by doing that, that will be a new way to build up our fan base. It's kind of how lacrosse is evolving and how the world is evolving — having the players become well known in your league.

We believe that the Tewaaraton Lacrosse League is going to bring lacrosse to ... some new audiences, but even some of the key existing audiences, in a much more different way.- Lewis Staats, TLL president

"That's another key change that we are implementing in the Tewaaraton league that wasn't available to us under the regime that we were playing under before," said Staats. 

According to Staats, the TLL will better prepare players if they choose to move on to a professional league. 

"We're also going to very much focus on them and try to assist them on their educational pursuits as well."

Staats said everyone involved in the ownership groups and organizing the TLL "had years and years of experience" playing in the Ontario Lacrosse Association leagues.

"We're very excited about the league," he said.

"We believe that the Tewaaraton Lacrosse League is going to bring lacrosse to ... some new audiences, but even some of the key existing audiences, in a much more different way."

Inaugural season set for August

The TLL plans to launch its inaugural season this summer, on Aug. 12, said Rob Francis, a member of the league's Leadership Circle of Excellence.   

"Our league is committed first and foremost to the health and safety of our players, staff, officials, administrators and all those involved in our league," said Francis.

"Our excitement surrounding TLL's inaugural season is somewhat tempered by the current pandemic situation, however, our passion and commitment to bring major junior lacrosse to Ontario remains steadfast."

Francis said the league will be monitoring federal and provincial pandemic updates ahead of the season's planned start: An eight-day tournament featuring the four teams, with the location yet to be determined, from Aug. 12 to 19.